Anyone Seen Or Used Lowrance Structure Scan or Humminbird Side Imaging?

Seen it demonstrated and it looks impressive. Whether or not it is any value is a different question. I was seriously thinking of having it fitted when we kitted out our boat - till I understood that it does not forward scan. Sailing on the shallow East Coast, I am always keen to have as much information as possible about what I am about to run into, but it does not help you in that respect. Not being a fisherman, I cannot comment on the value of such high definition imaging of what is directly underneath you in landing a good catch.
 
Have used StructureScan and it really is very good. Whether it is off any use I am not so sure, but as a gadget I would really love to have it fitted. Probably more actual use if you are into fishing, diving etc. It works just as well as the demos you see at shows.
 
The advertising pics look good but is the reality good as well on these new underwater imaging fishfinders?

We have a such a Humminbird fitted to our fishing boat and there are pros and cons:

Pros: In water <50' or so you can see the contours of the bottom with remarkable clarity. You can pick sand waves, striation in reefs and wrecks quite clearly.

Cons: The videos and pictures that HB use are taken in freshwater, the images are nowhere as clear in saltwater. It struggles in depths greater than 50' and in rough seas when the boat is rolling the images are poor or non-existant.

On balance a nice toy but maybe not as nice as the promotional videos.
 
We have a such a Humminbird fitted to our fishing boat and there are pros and cons:

Pros: In water <50' or so you can see the contours of the bottom with remarkable clarity. You can pick sand waves, striation in reefs and wrecks quite clearly.

Cons: The videos and pictures that HB use are taken in freshwater, the images are nowhere as clear in saltwater. It struggles in depths greater than 50' and in rough seas when the boat is rolling the images are poor or non-existant.

On balance a nice toy but maybe not as nice as the promotional videos.

An interesting insight thanks. Of course, when the boat rolls it will affect imaging, only way round that would be some kind of stabilisation or towing the transducer. I'm not sure why seawater imaging would be worse though.
 
3D underwater imaging.

I spoke to my marine electronics supplier about buying either a Lawrance or Humminbird 3D sounder, and he said unless I was on a glass flat sea, forget it, as you would not get a true image. He said they are only really any good, if your on a lake for example. He told me the times I would get an accurate bottom picture, would be once in a blue moon!
So as I sail the Irish sea, it'd be pointless and a waste of money! So I bought an autopilot instead!!!
 
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